Investigators Regroup In Cunanan Search

With nary a confirmed sighting of him in two weeks, authorities looking for Andrew Cunanan are re-evaluating their efforts while privately conceding they probably underestimated the cunning of the murder spree suspect.

Many officials had expected a quick end to Cunanan's flight. Prior to the alleged crime spree--which includes the May 3 slaying of Chicago real estate tycoon Lee Miglin--the San Diego man was described as a free-spending bon vivant who had no criminal record and little in his background to suggest criminal ingenuity.

But now, some officials concede that the manhunt could go on indefinitely, and in the days and weeks since Cunanan became a fugitive they have learned enough about him to see him in a different light.

Now that investigators know Cunanan has a penchant for altering his looks, they are beginning to wonder whether he has gone into hiding to change his identity and perhaps develop a long-range plan for escaping capture.

That's why some investigators believe a critical juncture of the manhunt is at hand. With each passing day, Cunanan has a chance to regain his composure and perform the tasks necessary to staying on the lam, such as obtaining false identification. Also, publicity about the case, which is crucial for generating tips, is waning.

But publicity also may be helping Cunanan to monitor the manhunt.

Authorities found newspapers in Miglin's Lexus, which Cunanan allegedly stole after the slaying, including editions of the Tribune and Philadelphia dailies describing the manhunt. They speculate Cunanan also may be watching television news stories and tapping into public library media and law enforcement Web sites on the Internet.

Of course, the fact is authorities can do little more right now than guess and theorize.

Ultimately, in many cases like this, a tip from the public is what breaks the case. Or the fugitive simply slips up.

One investigator pointed out that human nature is on their side: Many fugitives are caught because they can't keep their mouths shut.

If Cunanan has abandoned his flight, albeit temporarily, authorities hope his flamboyant personality and high-society tastes will undo whatever disguise he may affect. Though two of Cunanan's credit cards were at their limit, authorities believe he had least $2,000 in cash that he allegedly stole from Miglin's briefcase.

"He is the antithesis of loners like (Unabomber suspect) Ted Kaczynski, so that personality trait may work for us," said Chicago FBI spokesman Bob Long. "It's likely he is . . . communicating with someone and not living a hermit's existence."

Police have learned Cunanan was known to cozy up to rich, gay men in order to live a lavish existence. Even though he has no criminal record, he is used to living by his wits and to manipulating other individuals. Relatives also say Cunanan has a very high IQ.

"This fellow is a great manipulator," said Chicago criminologist Arthur Bilek. "He seems to have a high IQ. He seems to have a capacity to ingratiate himself and to tell believable stories. But he is not a guy who is accustomed to living on nothing."

FBI officials on Thursday said there were still no confirmed sightings of the 27-year-old. However, FBI spokeswoman Coleen Rowley said the FBI is pursuing several recent sightings of Cunanan on the East Coast that seem to corroborate each other.

Officially, FBI and other law enforcement officials reject suggestions that the trail for Cunanan has grown cold.

They continue to monitor Cunanan's credit cards--and those of his alleged victims--to see if he uses them, and they may try to use random telephone traps on the lines of people to whom he might try to contact, experts said.

For the first time since the manhunt began three weeks ago, the U.S. Justice Department is mulling a cash reward for information leading to his capture.

The government bounty would be in addition to one of $10,000 already posted by a gay and lesbian group in New York City.

And the FBI, privately criticized by some law enforcement officials for its tepid response to Cunanan at the outset of his alleged crimes, is seizing the initiative. Technicians are at work at the FBI Academy, trying to depict the wanted man as he might look with dyed hair, a mustache or beard and other facial disguises.

Once completed, copies of such a Cunanan photo collection will be circulated to police agencies around the country, news media and to the bureau's own 56 field offices.

In major FBI offices with fugitive apprehension squads, Cunanan is priority No. 1. Even in small, rural offices, he has the attention of at least one agent in each who has the task of coordinating search efforts with local police.

The FBI has also sent notices about Cunanan to 176 countries so they can check the passport numbers and identifications of foreign travelers. Cunanan has a valid passport, though it was not known if he has it with him, Rowley said.

"He will look different when he resurfaces," predicted one veteran federal investigator, confident Cunanan has gone underground. "But just as sure as I am of that, I'm convinced someone will see through his disguise and dime him out by calling police."